SIXTEENTH CENTURY 137 
years ago Blackbirds were nothing like as common as they 
are now ; perhaps if they had been of larger size our ances- 
tors would have reckoned them as much worth catching as 
Woodcocks. 
Entries of Larks come repeatedly, most often in summer, 
and generally for half a dozen or a dozen. Fifty-four are 
brought in on three consecutive days in June 1527, when the 
Abbot of Ramsey was on a visit at the Hall. Skylarks have 
always had a reputation for delicacy, so perhaps they were 
especially provided in this instance for the Abbot. 
Again there is an entry of fourteen Larks killed with 
a Hobby in June 1533, and a fortnight afterwards twelve 
more killed with a Hobby, as well as five Coots and some 
Mallards taken with a Spaniel, probably when moulting 
(p. 528). In the fifteenth century, Mr. Harting observes, 
the Hobby was considered the hawk for a young man, 
and ladies also flew the Merlin; but this latter is not 
mentioned in the Accounts. 
The tenant must have been very poor who could render 
no higher rent than common Sparrows, bnt in July 1533, in 
default of anything better, twelve ‘“‘sparouse ” of gyste are 
accepted, and in the same week there also come “ xij sparouse, 
iij herns,” the latter probably nestlings, for which three half- 
pence is allowed. The Sparrows also, judging from the time 
of year, may have been young ones. 
In July 1548, Mr. le Strange finds two dozen more Sparrows, 
and two dozen more in September, presumably for eating, as 
they could hardly have been bought for any other purpose, 
unless it was to feed the hawks. 
Seamew.—Only one more species, the Gull, remains to 
be named. Under the name of Seamew, Mr. le Strange 
discovers six entries— 
1536 [June 18] xxxij See mowes xid. 
1548 [July 11] ij semmywys. 
se SE ee 20 xX semewes. 
» Las 22] semewys. 
» Lo» » J] itij seebyrdes called See mewes. 
[ 25] iiij  Semewes. 
Probably these refer to the young of the Black-headed Gull, 
more commonly known as a “ Puit,’ which may have had 
